Chelsea are interested in signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been identified as an ideal replacement for Thibaut Courtois.
According to latest reports from Italian news outlet Corriere Dello Sport, Chelsea have turned their attention to Gianluigi Donnarumma. The AC Milan shot-stopper has been a subject of a lot of transfer speculation over the past 12 months and could be set for a big money move this summer with Chelsea identifying him an ideal replacement for Thibaut Courtois.
The Premier League giants are preparing for life without Courtois, who has been subject to a move to Real Madrid. His current contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next season with the Belgian unlikely to sign an extension. However, Chelsea have been quick to begin their search for an ideal replacement and Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma is believed to be topping their shortlist this summer.
Even though the Blues have also shown a keen interest in another superstar goalkeeper in Alisson Becker, it’s highly unlikely that they will manage to secure his services next season with the Brazilian also courting the interest of Liverpool and Real Madrid amongst many others.
Therefore, Donnarumma could appear as a more realistic option for the Blues. Considering the fact that the Italian has gone through a relatively mediocre season the last campaign, Chelsea will be presented with a perfect opportunity to lure him to England this summer. In fact, the London giants are in pole position to sign him with Milan reportedly looking for buyers for Donnarumma.
Once regarded as the likely heir to Italy’s goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon, Donnarumma made a breakthrough in the Italian top flight during the 2015/16 season. The teenage sensation made as many as 30 appearances in that campaign. Since his debut in the Serie A back in 2015, Donnarumma has already made over 100 league appearances, all before the age of 19.
Blessed with sheer physical prowess coupled with his brilliant reflexes, Donnarumma is an excellent goalkeeper, who is capable of performing at the highest level of football. However, it’s his height which makes him one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in European football. Standing at 1.96m, the 19-year-old can be an intimidating presence for any attacker in the world, ultimately giving him better coverage between the sticks.
Thus, the AC Milan starlet can be an ideal signing for Chelsea. Despite the fact that the 19-year-old has suffered from lack of form in recent time, he is still regarded as one of the most gifted goalkeepers in European football and at age of 19, Donnarumma can potentially transform into the huge asset for the club in the long term.
However, Milan’s valuation for Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer has remained unclear so far although reports emerged, earlier this summer, that the Blues could offer Alvaro Morata in a straight swap deal, which could potentially benefit all parties involved.
